IMPORTANT
ANNOUNCEMENT

To join the nation's efforts to socially distance - and protect our associates, employees, customers and the public health - we’ve decided that effective March 20, 2020, FEC has temporarily closed our Job Centers to the general public.

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The Full Employment Council is offering all services remotely, including those related to unemployment. This approach will enable FEC offices located in Jackson County, Cass County, Clay County, Platte County, and Ray County to remotely provide service to you, our customers.

For individuals needing to file a claim, the state has established a HOTLINE for your immediate assistance at855-348-3751 or you can visit:https://jobs.mo.gov/

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For information about insurance and retirement funds for workers who are being laid off
visit: www.dol.gov/ebsa

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If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19
call the Missouri 24-hour HOTLINE at 1-877-435-8411.

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We would like to thank you for your patience and understanding during this period of concern and ask you to continue to visit FECKC.ORG for future updates and changes as they become available.

COVID-19 UNEMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

Sourced: Missouri Division of Employment Security

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Federal Legislation (How will it affect me? Will I qualify? When do I get the $600 FPUC or I’m self-employed/gig worker/contractor or have exhausted my unemployment benefits?):

The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), which is part of the federal CARES Act, provides that those eligible for at least one dollar ($1 US) of unemployment compensation benefits during the week will receive an additional $600 per week as a federal supplement. The $600 federal supplement is effective the week beginning March 29, 2020 for those filing their unemployment payment request for that week. Payments are being made retroactively for claims filed on or after March 29,2020. The last payable week for the $600 supplement will be the week ending July 25, 2020. FPUC payments are being made to eligible recipients beginning the week of April 12, 2020.

The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) To be eligible for a PUA claim, individuals must first file a regular unemployment claim and be found ineligible. Most self-employed individuals who file a claim will receive a notice that they are not an insured worker. This is because they are not covered under the regular unemployment insurance system.

Individuals in these groups who have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus, and have not already filed a claim, are encouraged to file online at uinteract.labor.mo.gov. When filing, individuals should:

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Indicate “none” when asked for states in which they have worked, unless they have worked for an employer in the last 18 months. This is important because those that were self-employed and impacted by coronavirus may have worked for an employer in the last 18 months and could be eligible for the state’s regular unemployment insurance program.

Receive a notification from DES with further instructions on what information will be needed and how to complete the filing process for the PUA. If those unemployed selected to be notified electronically, an email will be sent the following day after the claim is filed stating to check their correspondence tab in UInteract. All others will be mailed the instructions and should receive within the time it takes to be delivered by the US Postal Service.

Individuals who have filed an unemployment claim and have received a notification that they are not an insured worker will also be contacted by the DES mid to late week with further instructions on what information will be needed and how to complete the filing process for the PUA. The same notification by DES as stated above will apply.

The DES notification will require those self-employed, gig workers, independent contractors, and those who otherwise do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits to provide proof of employment and they may also choose to provide proof of earnings to potentially increase the amount of benefits received each week. Examples of acceptable forms which provide proof of employment include business cards, advertisements, telephone listings, business licenses, etc. Examples of acceptable forms of proof of earnings will include copies of income tax returns with related Schedules C, E, F and SE, Form K-1 and/or Form 1099-Misc. Individuals will receive instructions from the DES on how to securely submit proof through the UInteract system.

The PUA benefits will be retroactive to when an individual was negatively affected by the coronavirus, however, the individual will need to provide proof. PUA payments are estimated to be issued within 10 days of eligibility determination. Claimants should log into UInteract.labor.mo.gov for the most up to date status of eligibility and payments.

Individuals who do not have enough work history or who were unable to begin their new job because of the pandemic are also encouraged to apply for unemployment. If they receive a notice that they are not an insured worker, they will also receive notification from the DES on how to complete their application for the PUA program.

The Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program will begin the week of April 26, 2020. This program will provide up to an additional 13 weeks of unemployment to those that have exhausted their regular unemployment benefits. Once the PEUC program is operational, the DES will notify all potentially eligible individuals. The DES encourages claimants who have exhausted their unemployment benefits, and still have an active benefit year, to continue to file weekly requests for payments.

Need to file an unemployment claim (first time or existing):

Caller may file a claim online at http://www.uinteract.labor.mo.gov (shows video for first time users). UInteract is available 24/7 and is mobile friendly. You may also find questions and answers related to the coronavirus and unemployment at http://labor.mo.gov/coronavirus including links to videos answering frequently asked questions.

Looking for additional community resources and outreach programs, the Kansas City Public Library has published a weekly resource, Street Sheet - "for individuals experiencing homelessness, primarily the unsheltered/street living, during this difficult time of this health crisis," said Kelly Berry, Outreach Community Engagement Associate, KCPL.

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The Street Sheet provides a list of services from Health and Safety Tips, Wireless Internet Access, Shelter information, Restroom and Handwashing Stations and much, much more.